Thread: Orchestral Transcriptions / Orchestrations

Greetings my fellow forum members.


I would like to created a thread in which we can talk about anything that has to do with orchestrations, symphonic transcriptions and orchestral arrangements.
It's hard and painful to track down albums that have symphonic transcrisptions, thus a thread where people post their precious knownledge will be helpful to all of us.

We can talk about rarities and curiosities, about orchestrations that you have heard and suprised you, about orchestral transcriptions that turn out to be satisfying, about rare CDs that feature majestic symphonic transcriptions, et cetera...





Allow me to start with a rare, an "unprocurable" gem.
http://www.lyrita.co.uk/cgi-bin/lyri...e=SRCD0216.txt

Let me share some knowledge on CDs that have interesting orchestrations:



http://www.atmaclassique.com/en/albu...px?albumid=352



http://www.atmaclassique.com/en/albu...px?albumid=293




http://www.musicweb-international.co...y_Pictures.htm



http://www.musicweb-international.co...dinRequiem.htm




http://www.musicweb-international.co..._cacds4031.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.co...s_CACD4033.htm




http://www.musicweb-international.co...bussynight.htm




http://www.musicweb-international.co...syengulfed.htm




Mussorgsky-Leibowitz : "Night on Bald Mountain" in this one
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/62...id_Stereo_SACD










Does anybody have any remarks on these CDs?
Any personal opinion?
http://www.amazon.com/Ravel-Orchestr...026ESJJHK8HFS8
http://www.amazon.com/Maurice-Ravel-...026ESJJHK8HFS8

http://www.musicweb-international.co..._DOM292995.htm
http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=8977
http://www.globerecords.nl/catalogue/popup.html?nr=44





Anyone knows a good recording for Mussorgsky-Shostakovich : "Songs and Dance of Death"?

Here is one that is hard to find in CD version but I think is available in mp3 versions, Franz Schubert Piano Sonatas Orchestrated:

http://www.amazon.com/Franz-Schubert...0397857&sr=1-1

Originally Posted by Weston

Here is one that is hard to find in CD version but I think is available in mp3 versions, Franz Schubert Piano Sonatas Orchestrated:
http://www.amazon.com/Franz-Schubert...0397857&sr=1-1

Should be interesting.... Who's orchestrated Schubert's keybord works?

Talking about elusive CDs, I want to acquire this one, but....


http://www.amazon.com/Symphonic-Bach...B2P5D68TNM3Z1R







Talking about Schubert orchestrations we have material by :
-Luciano Berio


http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/...scriptions.htm



-And by Leopold Stokowski


http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209349






Also recommended


http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209930




http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...r=CHAN%2010282




http://www.musicweb-international.co...2564619542.htm

http://www.calarecords.com/acatalog/info_CACD0529.html



http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/alb...tic-Stokowski/



Rachmaninoff Preludes, orchestrated by Lucien Cailliet

http://www.pristineclassical.com/Lar...al/PASC183.php




http://www.pristineclassical.com/Lar...al/PASC211.php




http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%208825




http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209835






http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209801
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...r=CHAN%2010023
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...mber=GH%202333
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209100
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...r=CHAN%2010538
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209792
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%206693


http://www.pristineclassical.com/Lar...al/PASC214.php
http://www.pristineclassical.com/Lar...al/PASC196.php

regarding the scoenberg orchestration of brahms piano quartet in Gminor shown above

- i found it disappointingly bland and lacking in any of the vigour of Brahms' original chamber version

Originally Posted by JAKE WYB

regarding the scoenberg orchestration of brahms piano quartet in Gminor shown above

- i found it disappointingly bland and lacking in any of the vigour of Brahms' original chamber version

You mean that particular recording (Neeme Jarvi) or in general??

Originally Posted by Aggelos

You mean that particular recording (Neeme Jarvi) or in general??

in general - seems like a wasted opportunity

Originally Posted by JAKE WYB

in general - seems like a wasted opportunity

Perhaps one could call it an "academic scholasticism".
However there are numerous recordings for Schoenberg's orchestration.
http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archive.../works/272.htm



http://www.usc.edu/libraries/archive....htm#NoOpusNos

There are always the Arbos orchestrations of Albeniz' rather monumental "Iberia" suite for piano, which sound like psuedo-Ravel. He only orchestrated five of the twelve works, but after listening to the piano originals (and having played a few of them), I'll stick with the originals. They 'sound' well on the piano--crisp and rhythmic--the orchestrations tend to 'flatten' them out, at least IMO.

Tomj

I'd actually say that Schoenberg's orchestrations are pretty good. Didn't some critic call his orchestration of the Brahms piano quintet the "Fifth Symphony?" Schoenberg also did other good orchestrations, for example, of Handel & Monn...

Originally Posted by Andre

Schoenberg also did other good orchestrations, for example, of Handel & Monn...

Yes, I listened to samples of the Schoenberg arrangement of a Handel concerto grosso (Naxos recording, you suggested in another thread). Interesting and very modern sounds, while retaining the Handelian melody. It usually gets more fascinating when the period between original piece composition and transcription gets separated by a long period of time, as is this example here; Baroque by 20th century atonal composer.

Originally Posted by TWhite

There are always the Arbos orchestrations of Albeniz' rather monumental "Iberia" suite for piano, which sound like psuedo-Ravel. He only orchestrated five of the twelve works, but after listening to the piano originals (and having played a few of them), I'll stick with the originals. They 'sound' well on the piano--crisp and rhythmic--the orchestrations tend to 'flatten' them out, at least IMO.

Tomj

I concur. Stick to the original... Arbos did not impress me either.
However Stokowski's orchestration for "Festival in Seville" was lavish and sonorous.
http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%209349










Le me remind you Mahler's re-orchestration

Guys stop your grinnin' and drop your linen.
We wiil get badass orchestral transcriptions at the forthcoming BBC proms!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/what...composer.shtml




Prom 39: Bach Orchestral Transcriptions (Saturday 14 August 2010)
* J. S. Bach, orch. Stokowski Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 (10 mins)
* J. S. Bach, orch. Henry Wood 'Suite No. 6' - Prelude; Finale (6 mins)
* Tarik O'Regan Latent Manifest (c5 mins)
(BBC commission: world premiere)
* Walton The Wise Virgins – suite (21 mins)
* Grainger Blithe Bells (4 mins)
* J. S. Bach, arr. Sargent Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 - Air (6 mins)
* Alissa Firsova Bach Allegro (c5 mins)
(BBC commission: world premiere)
* J. S. Bach, arr. Bantock Chorale Prelude 'Wachet auf, ruft uns due Stimme', BWV 645 (5 mins)
* J. S. Bach, arr. Respighi Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 (13 mins)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton conductor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/what...8.shtml#prom39





Prom 63: BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Thursday 2 September 2010)
* Rameau Dardanus – suite (18 mins)
* Canteloube Songs from the Auvergne – selection (25 mins)
* Martin Matalon Lignes de fuite
(UK premiere) (18 mins)
* Musorgsky, arr. Henry Wood Pictures at an Exhibition (30 mins)

BBC National Orchestra of Wales, François-Xavier Roth conductor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/what...9.shtml#prom63





Prom 67: Last Night of the Proms 1910 (5 September 2010)
* Wagner The Flying Dutchman – overture
(11 mins)
* Beethoven Rondino for wind octet (7 mins)
* Paganini, arr. Pitt Moto perpetuo (5 mins)
* Musorgsky, orch. Henry Wood The Peep-Show (13 mins)
* Bizet L'Arlésienne – excerpts (20 mins)
* David Matthews/Vaughan Williams Dark Pastoral – based on the surviving fragment of the slow movement of Vaughan Williams's Cello Concerto (1942)
(BBC commission: world premiere) (c11 mins)
* Dvořák Rondo in G minor (8 mins)
* Beethoven Overture 'Leonore' No. 3 (13 mins)
* Thomas Mignon – 'Connais-tu le pays?' (4 mins)
* Dvořák, orch. Henry Wood Humoresque in G flat major, Op. 101 No. 7 (4 mins)
* Wagner Kaisermarsch (10 mins)
* Wood Fantasia on British Sea-Songs (18 mins)
* German Merrie England – 'Who were the Yeomen of England?' (4 mins)
* Forster Mifanwy (3 mins)
* Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G major (5 mins)
* The National Anthem (2 mins)

BBC Concert Orchestra, Paul Daniel conductor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/what...9.shtml#prom67





Prom 76: The Last Night of the Proms (Saturday 11 September 2010)
* Jonathan Dove A Song of Joys
(BBC commission: world premiere) (c5 mins)
* Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien (16 mins)
* Tchaikovsky arr. Rysanov Rococo Variations (19 mins)
* Parry Blest Pair of Sirens (11 mins)
* R. Strauss Verführung, Op. 33 No. 1
Freundliche Vision, Op. 48 No. 1
Ständchen, Op. 17 No. 2
Winterweihe, Op. 48 No. 4
Zueignung, Op. 10 No. 1 (18 mins)

* Chabrier Joyeuse marche (4 mins)
* Smetana Dalibor – 'Dobrá! Já mu je dám! … Jak je mi?' (3 mins)
* Dvořák Rusalka – Song to the Moon (6 mins)
* Vaughan Williams Suite for viola and small orchestra – Prelude; Galop (6 mins)* Wagner Lohengrin – Bridal Chorus (5 mins)
* Rodgers and Hammerstein Carousel – 'You'll never walk alone' (5 mins)
* Hans Zimmer Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest – Hornpipe (3 mins)
* Arne Rule, Britannia! (8 mins)
* Parry, orch. Elgar Jerusalem (2 mins)
* Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major ('Land of Hope and Glory') (8 mins)
* The National Anthem (2 mins)


BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek conductor
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/what...9.shtml#prom76

More CDs with orchestrations & orchestral arrangements


http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%208412



http://www.chandos.net/details06.asp...er=CHSA%205077




http://www.theclassicalshop.net/Deta...er=CHAN%205057








I would like to inform you guys, that Aryeh Oron is creating a rigorous-sedulous list for J.S. Bach orchestral transcriptions :
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Arran/L-Orchestra.htm


It is still under construction, thus if you need/want to contribute, send him an e-mail :
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/How.htm#Material